The Big Picture

 

The Big Picture

If a picture is worth a thousand words, there are at least that many in this little picture. The two Northport chaps in this 1964 photo are myself and my friend, Charlie when we were in our late teens at a basement party somewhere in the middle of Long Island. Let's examine the details in this retro-freeze.

The clothes: One might question why we would be attired in sports jackets, dress-shirts and ties to attend a basement party. In those days, it was considered appropriate to "look sharp", a phrase that today, might seem an oxymoron considering the jacket that Charlie was wearing. This actually was the "rock star look" and Charlie was emulating the likes of Elvis Presley. The thinness of the ties may suggest to the reader that times were austere and fabric in short supply, but that's how clothes were actually designed. We proudly "dressed for success" in hopes of attracting the opposite sex. What can't be seen in the picture are the "pointy" shoes and white socks.

The hair: This detail cannot be ignored. Back in the day, the "hair tonic" of choice was Vaseline which we applied by slathering our combs into the jar and combing it in liberally, a daily regimen which ensured "cool". The sides were combed back in a hair pattern that met at the back of the head in a regulation "ducks tail" or D/A, as it was commonly called. The old fashioned front-of-head pompadour was modified into a tumble-home "spit curl", the signature hairstyle made popular by early rocker Bill Haley who is considered by many to have been the architect of Rock & Roll. Good grooming of course was underscored by the importance of good hygiene, a code that required washing our hair at least twice annually. Looking back, I can remember how slippery my pillow case got and wonder how my steady put up with all of my "cool". She must have gotten Vaseline all over her.

The booze: On the table and in our disposable cups is the "hard stuff". At age 18, it was important to be a connoisseur of fine spirits in order to display our worldliness. At that time, I would have elected for a Scotch based cocktail. I didn't like the taste of it then and I still don't, but drinking Scotch made a statement. I don't remember how much of it we typically drank in those days, but it was too much. After we partook in our fill of libation, we got in our cars and escorted our dates to who-knows-where. DUI had not yet been invented and authorities were still trying to figure out if there was a connection between auto accidents and drinking.

The asbestos insulated plumbing pipes: Visible at the top of the picture, the white asbestos insulated plumbing pipes that run along the bottom of the floor joists are noted. Pipe-wrap like this was in common use back then but this dangerous material is no longer in residential use. Usually when found, removal by a licensed qualified specialist is the protocol since inhalation of airborne particles from this type of application have been proven to be cancer-causing. Speaking of inhaling, we ingested a huge amount of tobacco smoke back then, at least 20 cigarettes a day or more. Between a history of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking, it’s a wonder we have made it to “elderly” without the help of an iron lung.

Nowhere Man: The Beatles had not yet released their hit yet, but it wouldn’t be far off. We were a couple of ne’er-do-wells with little or no ambition that could have been the template for this song. Our lives might have been defined by “work to support the weekend”. Parties, drinking, the beach, girls, drag racing, water skiing...that was about it. Not too much direction.

The venue: Not uncommon, young folks used their parents basement for impromptu gatherings often referred to as “open house”. There really was no need to have a special occasion for an “open house”. Simple basement surroundings and a few twists of crepe paper provided the party atmosphere for all to enjoy. Of note is the mention that parties back then were not destructive. Destruction of a home was not a goal back then. If it did happen, I wasn’t aware of it.

The year was 1964..........Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States and we would soon be pressed into service in the armed forces. In a very short time, we would "loose all of our cool" and would be wearing the threads of the United States Navy. In fifteen short seconds, our hair would be on the boot camp barber shop floor. It was time to move on. We would begin our journey into adulthood, and would learn to become part of society, in time, homeowners, family men and leaders of the community. We would now embrace the “big picture”.